You're always on the hunt for a new ham radio antenna to spice up your shack, right? Well get ready to feast your eyes on Moonraker's Scanking TXHF-6 discone available at Techoman.  This isn’t your grandpa's old discone - the Scanking TXHF-6 brings some serious innovation to the classic design.

With TX frequency coverage from 80 meters all the way up to 6 meters, this bad boy will have you working all sorts of exotic DX. But it's not just about breadth of frequencies. The Scanking stands out with its sturdy construction and weather resistance too. 

Keep reading to explore what makes the Scanking TXHF-6 such a uniquely versatile and durable discone antenna for the discerning ham. We'll dive into the performance and special features that set this antenna apart from the crowd. Get ready to be wowed!

Introducing Moonraker's Scanking TXHF-6 Discone Antenna

Moonraker’s Scanking TXHF-6 discone antenna is unlike any other. While most discones cover a wide frequency range with mediocre TX performance, if any, the TXHF-6 focuses on the critical ham radio HF bands from 80 to 6 meters with exceptional efficiency.

Superior Performance on Key Bands

The TXHF-6 discone uses a unique “scanking” design with precisely tuned elements for maximum gain. Where signals can be weak, the TXHF-6 can pull in contacts you never dreamed possible.

Built to Last

The TXHF-6 features a rugged yet lightweight aluminum design with stainless steel hardware. It handles up to 200 watts TX and the wideband RX discone element provides coverage from 3 to 1000 MHz for monitoring aircraft, public service, and commercial transmissions.

Easy to Assemble and Mount

The TXHF-6 comes with a tilt-over mast bracket for quick assembly and installation on towers, masts or rooftops. All parts are pre-tuned at the factory so you can have it up and running in under an hour. Whether you're limited to a small apartment or have acres of property, the TXHF-6 discone is ideal for hams looking to maximize performance on the HF bands without the headaches of a directional antenna system. Moonraker’s got you covered with an antenna that’s high-performance, long-lasting, and downright fun to use.

What Makes the TXHF-6 Discone Antenna Unique?

The TXHF-6 discone antenna from Moonraker offers unparalleled performance for its size. Unlike traditional discone antennas that are limited to RX, the TXHF-6 operates TX from 80 meters all the way up to 6 meters.

Broad Frequency Coverage

The TXHF-6 utilizes a unique cone and disc design with precision-tuned elements to achieve an ultra-wide bandwidth. This single antenna gives you coverage of a large part of the HF spectrum.

Compact and Lightweight

Despite its broad frequency range, the TXHF-6 has a compact footprint and weighs only 4 pounds, making it easy to install and perfect for portable operation. The antenna mounts to a single pipe or mast up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

High Gain and Low SWR

The TXHF-6 provides a wide gain pattern with plenty of signal in all directions. And thanks to the proprietary disc and cone geometry, it maintains a low SWR across all bands for excellent efficiency.

With its revolutionary design, the Moonraker TXHF-6 discone antenna gives you RX and TX in one lightweight, compact package. Whether you're operating portable, setting up a permanent station, or building an emergency communications network, the TXHF-6 is a good choice for no-compromise RX and good HF performance. This innovative antenna makes it possible to access most HF bands with a single, affordable antenna solution.

TXHF-6 Discone Performance Across the HF Bands

The TXHF-6 discone provides surprisingly good performance across multiple HF bands, especially considering its small size. On 80 meters, you can expect low SWR and a fairly broad bandwidth, allowing you to tune across the entire band with ease.

Solid Performance on 40 Meters

On 40 meters, the TXHF-6 discone continues to shine. You’ll find low SWR from 7.2 MHz up to 7.3 MHz. This wide bandwidth means you can operate anywhere in this range without needing to tweak the antenna tuner. The discone’s vertical polarization also provides good DX performance, allowing your signal to propagate long distances.

Great for 20, 15 and 10 Meters

As you move up in frequency, the TXHF-6 discone’s performance improves even more. On 20, 15 and 10 meters, you can expect an SWR of 1.5:1 or better across each entire band. The ultra-wide bandwidth on these bands means you’ll have no trouble finding a clear frequency, and the low SWR ensures most of your transmitter power is radiated. The discone’s omni-directional pattern also makes it ideal for local contacts on these bands.

Worth Considering on 6 Meters

While the TXHF-6 discone is specified to cover 6 meters, performance will drop off on the higher frequencies. You can still achieve usable performance over a portion of the 6 meter band, but SWR will increase and the bandwidth will narrow. For all-out 6 meter performance, a dedicated 6 meter antenna is a better choice. However, for occasional 6 meter operation, the TXHF-6 discone can still get you on the air.

The TXHF-6 discone provides an innovative solution for hams looking for an all-in-one antenna that can handle multiple HF bands without needing an antenna tuner. Its solid performance across 80 through 10 meters makes it easy to get active on multiple bands, and its simple design requires no radials or ground plane, allowing quick setup almost anywhere. For a unique discone that opens up more of the HF spectrum, the TXHF-6 is worth considering.

Installation and Setup of the Scanking TXHF-6

Setting up your Scanking TXHF-6 discone antenna is straightforward, but there are a few key steps to keep in mind.

Choosing a location

The ideal spot for your TXHF-6 is in a clear area, away from obstacles like trees or buildings that can block signals. Mount it as high as possible, at least 10 to 15 feet high for the best performance. You'll want to consider how you'll route the coax cable from the antenna to your radio - choose a location that allows the most direct path.

Assembly

The TXHF-6 comes pre-tuned from the factory, so you just need to assemble the pieces. Connect the radiating elements, the square reflector, and the mast together. The mast attaches to your mounting pole or tower. All the parts are designed to fit together easily by hand.

Installing the Coax

Your TXHF-6 will need some low-loss coax cable. Attach one end of the cable to the connector on the discone, and route the cable to your radio. Keep the cable as straight as possible, avoiding kinks or coils. Secure the cable in place about every 5 to 10 feet to prevent movement.

Connecting to your radio

The other end of the coax attaches to your ham radio. Most radios have an antenna jack, usually an SO-239 or Type N female connector. Attach the PL-259 or Type N male connector on the coax to this jack. Be sure all connections are tight to prevent signal loss.

TXHF-6 Discone Antenna FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered

How does a discone antenna work?

A discone antenna, like the TXHF-6, is a wideband antenna that operates over a huge frequency range. It has a unique shape with a disc at the top and a cone at the bottom, which allows it to receive radio signals across multiple bands. The discone design reduces unwanted interference and static, providing clear reception.

What frequency range does the TXHF-6 cover?

The TXHF-6 discone covers 80 meters through 6 meters (3.5-54 MHz), so you can use it for the most popular ham radio bands like 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m. This ultra-wide bandwidth means you only need one antenna for most of your operating needs. No more switching between antennas for different bands!

How do I connect the TXHF-6 to my radio?

Connecting the TXHF-6 to your transceiver or receiver is straightforward. It has a standard SO-239 connector, so you simply attach it to your radio using a length of 50-ohm coaxial cable with PL-259 connectors. For the best performance, use high quality coax. Keep the coax as short as possible to minimize signal loss.

Is the TXHF-6 designed for transmitting or receiving?

The TXHF-6 discone antenna can be used for both transmitting and receiving. Its wide frequency coverage and omnidirectional pattern make it ideal for general coverage receiving, to pick up signals across a wide range of bands. When connected to a transceiver, the TXHF-6 also works great for transmitting on the most popular ham radio HF frequencies. So you can use one antenna for all your operating needs!

Where should I install the TXHF-6?

For the best results, install the TXHF-6 as high as possible. Mount it vertically on a pole or tower. Higher is always better for maximum range and to reduce interference from nearby objects. An omnidirectional antenna like the discone also needs clear space around it, so avoid mounting it directly next to other antennas or metal structures.

With its ultra-wide bandwidth, ease of use and affordable price, the TXHF-6 discone antenna is a unique solution for ham radio operators looking to simplify their station. Your top questions about this versatile antenna should now be answered, but let us know if you have any other questions!

Conclusion

So there you have it - the Moonraker Scanking TXHF-6 discone antenna. With its unique design focused on performance across a wide frequency range, this is definitely not your average discone. Between the sturdy construction, easy assembly, and ability to pick up signals from 80 meters all the way up through 6 meters, this antenna really stands out.

If you're looking for an all-in-one antenna solution to cover multiple bands for ham radio, scanning, or other hobby radio uses, the Scanking TXHF-6 is worth considering. The innovative design and quality build make this a discone that's built to last.  Give the Moonraker Scanking a try!

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